Steam & Cruise

Steam & Cruise

Full day excursion. Steam & Cruise is the perfect day out if you have children as it has ultimate flexibility - you decide what train and cruise to go on!
Note: Unfortunately, the paddlesteamer Kingswear Castle will not be returning to service until July 2023.

Tickets include:

  • Train
  • Ferry
  • Cruise

Full day excursion. The Steam & Cruise is the perfect day out if you have children as it has ultimate flexibility - you decide what train and cruise to go on! (Includes Dartmouth-Kingswear passenger ferry.)

Steam & Cruise map

A Typical Day's Itinerary

  1. Train from Paignton - 30 minute train journey to Kingswear
  2. Ferry from Kingswear - 10 minute ferry crossing to Dartmouth but allow 30 minutes beforehand
  3. Cruise from Dartmouth - 60 minute cruise to Dartmouth
  4. Ferry from Dartmouth - 10 minute ferry crossing to Kingswear but allow 30 minutes beforehand
  5. Train from Kingswear - 30 minute train journey to Paignton
  6. Arrive back in Paignton

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The River Cruise departs Dartmouth (where the foot passenger ferry drops you off) daily at 11:00, 12:15, 13:30, & 15:15.

Travel on the steam railway from Paignton to Kingswear, then cross the River Dart on our foot passenger ferry to Dartmouth, where you board one of our boats for a circular River Cruise (approximately 1hr duration) around the river and estuary. The cruise takes you to the mouth of the river passing Kingswear & Dartmouth Castles, Dittisham village, Britannia Royal Naval College and Greenway House – home to the late Dame Agatha Christie. Tell the children to keep their eyes peeled for the varied wildlife that can be seen – Dolphins, Seals, Herons, Egrets, Buzzards and Kingsfisher if you're quick enough!

On your return to Dartmouth there'll be time to look around, go shopping and have some lunch before going back to Kingswear for your return steam train ride to Paignton. Or if it suits, back to Kingswear for an earlier train to Paignton. All inclusive ticket.

All trips begin by train from Paignton if you are purchasing online. At Kingswear board the foot passenger ferry to Dartmouth. Choose the harbour cruise from Dartmouth that suits you and your party. Back to Kingswear for the return journey to Paignton. This tour can be done in reverse i.e. have your cruise in Dartmouth first followed by your return train trip to Paignton.

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Reviews

  • Fantastic trip - Booked this trip beforehand due to current circumstances. Good pricing, beautiful scenery on the journey, easy to get off & get the ferry straight over. Cruise down the river was also lovely.
  • Steam train - Great little day out - highly recommended. The boat trip up the dart was very good with the captain guiding us and the steam train was great for kids too.
  • Chugging along! - The cruise along the River Dart was delightful and the witty commentary was also very informative. The last leg on the steam train was fantastic - chugging along past the beautiful beaches with children waving to you from the sands. Just priceless! We had the most amazing day, the itinerary is done with military precision and is therefore relaxing and exciting - we really loved it. This has got to be a "must do" trip!

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